APD recruit among top academy grads

Having just graduated second in his class from Butte College Law Enforcement 121st Academy on June 12, Garett Maxwell is already in his third week of field training at the Anderson Police Department.

“I’m looking to get a solid foundation of skills and do the job well,” Maxwell said. “We’ll see where it takes me. I’m looking forward to staying in Anderson.”

“We’re really pleased with his progress so far,” said chief Dale Webb.

Maxwell, 28, grew up in Cottonwood and played baseball for West Valley before graduating in 1999. Maxwell said he was always interested in a career in law enforcement.

“I remember being drawn to it as a kid,” Maxwell said. “A lot of family friends were in law enforcement.”

After high school, Maxwell toured the country with a competitive paintball team.

“I was fortunate to travel around and see how really good we have it here,” Maxwell said.

Aside from finishing second in his class, scoring 99 percent in total achievement, Maxwell earned the Top Gun award for shooting accuracy in his class.

“The stereotype (that police departments) will take anybody is not accurate at all,” Maxwell said, adding that he’s a perfectionist.

He also finished second of 43 graduates in scenario training among what he called a “very competitive class.”

Scenario training tests a cadet’s knowledge of police procedures in the field. The cadet must act according to protocol in situations varying from domestic violence calls, handling witnesses and victims, dealing with dispatch and pedestrian stops.